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new HDTV, now looking to upgrade service to hi-def

So, we have officially entered the Hi-Def world and bought a HDTV. We currently do not have the Hi-Def service, but to get the locals, we were given an R22 DVR, and that is the only receiver we have in the house. At the time of install, they ran two separate feeds to the DVR, and connected the receiver to my router via cat5. So, now, I want to hook up an HD receiver and upgrade to HD Service. I've been out of contract for quite a while, and I know anything I do will require a two year commitment, and my package is the Choice Extra Classic, which I think they will want me to change. I would like to do one of two things...Option one is to simply replace the SD DVR with an HD DVR. Option two is the replace the DVR and add a second receiver for our second tv and go with whole home DVR. If we go with option one, is the HR34 even an option, or are the only for whole home customers? If we go with option two, I assume the HR34 is the best bet for the primary TV, but what about the second TV. I think I could re-use the R22, but I don't think that would qualify me for whole home. should I go with a C31, or a regular HD receiver? If the HR34 is off the table, which DVR should I hope to get? Our kids are 6 and 8, so we dont let them watch a lot of TV, and we usually all watch together, so I'm on the fence about adding the second receiver. But I want to future proof as much as I can, since I probably wont be eligible for any free upgrades for a while. I don't want to add a lot to my monthly bill, and if I'm not mistaken, the HD service will add $10, and if I add a second reciever it would add $6 for the lease, and $3 for the whole home. Does that sound right? Are there any charges i'm missing? Any help and advice would be appreciated.

Whole home is not required for the HR34. You can add that on it's own, get the HD service, and then your R22 will essentially become an HR21. You would not be able to add Whole Home in this config, as the R22 does not satisfy the HD receiver requirement, even though at that point it would display HD content in HD.

A C31 would essentially be a full extension of the HR34, allowing full management. It would use a tuner from the HR34 when it's playing back live content, or in the buffer. It can pause/rewind live TV. A receiver cannot do this, but also doesn't use a tuner from the DVR.

Whole home is not required for the HR34. You can add that on it's own, get the HD service, and then your R22 will essentially become an HR21. You would not be able to add Whole Home in this config, as the R22 does not satisfy the HD receiver requirement, even though at that point it would display HD content in HD.

A C31 would essentially be a full extension of the HR34, allowing full management. It would use a tuner from the HR34 when it's playing back live content, or in the buffer. It can pause/rewind live TV. A receiver cannot do this, but also doesn't use a tuner from the DVR.

Question;

If you have an HR34 and at least one RVU client, does that also qualify as the minimum two HD-DVR and HD-STB receiver rule which allows an HD-enabled R22 to participate in Whole Home service?

I would think so. At one point there was a special activation that had to be done to get Whole Home on an account with an HR34 and C31, but it is supported. Once that is complete, I would think the R22 would be able to participate.

I am in pretty much the same situation as you. I have an HDTV hooked up to my R22 but refuse to pay $10 per month for HD service and commit to a 2 year contract which would only provide me with one HD DVR-possibly even a reconditioned clunker.

If I ever decide that I just can't stand to watch SD any more, I would probably opt for a competitor's service as DirecTV caters to new customers and gives no programming discounts (or even "free HD for life") to existing customers. The most you can hope for is a new HD dish with installation and an HD DVR.

I'd rather get ALL NEW receivers and equipment and a deep package discount for a year and 3 months of free premium channels plus NO $10 HD FEE.

I am in pretty much the same situation as you. I have an HDTV hooked up to my R22 but refuse to pay $10 per month for HD service and commit to a 2 year contract which would only provide me with one HD DVR-possibly even a reconditioned clunker.

If I ever decide that I just can't stand to watch SD any more, I would probably opt for a competitor's service as DirecTV caters to new customers and gives no programming discounts (or even "free HD for life") to existing customers. The most you can hope for is a new HD dish with installation and an HD DVR.

I'd rather get ALL NEW receivers and equipment and a deep package discount for a year and 3 months of free premium channels plus NO $10 HD FEE.

I'm not to keen on paying more for HD either, but it is an upgraded service. I wouldn't go into McD's and expect to get my "Value Meal" super-sized for free. I just hope I can get some decent discounts since I have been a customer for a while, have been out of contract for a few years, and have never asked for discounts on equipment or programming since the initial new customer discounts ran out.